A Mosta supermarket that survived the collapse of fugitive businessman Ryan Schembri’s More Supermarket chain has closed down after what the new owner said was “a crazy decision” by third parties.

Your Supermarket, formerly known as Ta’ Natu Supermarket, on Constitutional Street, once formed part of Mr Schembri’s business empire, before it was given a new lease of life by its new owner, Mark Zammit.

The Mosta outlet, however, was found “abandoned” by suppliers last week who at first feared the store was the latest victim of Mr Schembri’s business practices.

“I went to make my normal delivery and found the place was a ghost town. I immediately recalled what happened with More and Mr Schembri and I felt sick to the stomach. I thought I was going to have to chase the money due to me,” one supplier said.

The debt-ridden More Supermarket chain was declared insolvent last year and Mr Schembri was last tracked to Dubai, where he had fled from some 50 creditors who are demanding millions of euros in unpaid debts.

I went to make my normal delivery and found the place was a ghost town

However, when contacted, owner Mr Zammit said the closure had nothing to do with Mr Schembri and the More business, insisting he had no ties with the former.

Asked why the store had closed, Mr Zammit replied he was “in shock” and that he was communicating with his lawyers to proceed against a third party who, he said, was to blame for what happened.

“At this point, all I can say is that someone made a crazy decision and what has happened is not my fault,” he said.

Mr Zammit added that he had been in touch with his suppliers and was informing them of the situation.

Sources close to Mr Zammit said that the issue revolved around a rent dispute that had led to disagreement between Mr Zammit and the store’s landlord, Joe Vella.

The sources said the disagreement, which was not related to lack of payment, led Mr Vella to evict Mr Zammit through an injunction filed in court last month.

“He [Mr Zammit] was made to leave abruptly and we had to clear out the store overnight to try and salvage whatever we could from a fully stocked supermarket,” the sources said.

Attempts to contact Mr Vella were still unsuccessful at the time of writing.